Centrifugal force

[petrushka.googol]

We usually associate centrifugal force with Newtonian dynamics.

 

Does this applied at the micro level manifest itself at the atomic scale.

 

if so how ?

 

Please explain.

Edited October 6, 2014 by petrushka.googol

[swansont]

We usually associate centrifugal force with Newtonian dynamics.

 

In the accelerating frame of an object moving in a circle. In an inertial frame there is no such thing.

 

 

Does this applied at the micro level manifest itself at the atomic scale.

 

if so how ?

 

Please explain.

For e.g. an electron moving classically in a magnetic field, sure.

 

In most of QM it makes no sense, because trajectories aren't classical. You usually look at energy in interactions.

[JonG]

We usually associate centrifugal force with Newtonian dynamics.

 

Does this applied at the micro level manifest itself at the atomic scale.

 

if so how ?

 

Please explain.

The centrifugal (or, more accurately, centripetal) force was used in the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom. The starting point was to equate the centripetal force to the Coulomb force of attraction between the electron and the nucleus (a proton). The Bohr model would now be seen as somewhat primitive, but it is remarkable that such Newtonian concepts could play any part in describing something on the atomic scale. This model wasn't entirely classical of course - some quantum mechanical relationships which were known about at the time (early twentieth century) were also inserted. Edited October 6, 2014 by JonG